Mbariza Ntore: Pool Synergy Project on the Election in Burundi 2010

This document highlights some of the results of an evaluation conducted by Radio La Benevolencija to assess the impact and identify lessons learned from the "Mbariza Ntore" (Kirundi for "inform us so that we can vote") programme. This programme brought together journalists from 16 different media houses in Burundi to work collaboratively as a "pool" or network ahead of the country’s 2010 elections. The objective of the project was to enhance the capacity of citizens to better understand the conditions in which they are invited to fulfil their political rights. The goals included: assuring political space, avoiding political hostilities, and making elections understandable to citizens. Overall, the evaluation suggests that the project contributed positively to the dissemination of better information and encouraged critical thinking.

The evaluation sought to measure to what extent the project had: assured effective accompaniment and on-the-spot training of political journalists from different media outlets, and produced and disseminated quality information on a neutral, independent basis, to inform and sensitise the Burundian audience on crucial issues related to the electoral process. The research for the evaluation was conducted in two phases: phase one was quantitative (consisting of two representative surveys on the Burundian population: one baseline in March 2010 and another one in August 2010), the other phase was qualitative (through focus groups). These were complemented by ongoing individual evaluation sessions on the performance of the journalists. The baseline survey showed that the selected media partners were representative of the media landscape in Burundi, and that the majority of themes selected covered the high priority list of topics relevant to the population.

The representative surveys looked at the different media programmes broadcast/printed during the election period. The research found that 27% of Burundians over 18 years of age listened to or read regularly the Mbariza Ntore radio magazines and newspaper articles. They also found that 12% of Burundians watched or listened to the Tomora programmes, television and radio programmes that presented the platforms of the various political parties just before the elections, while 20% of Burundians listened to the Mbariza/Siyroro radio sketches. Almost 75% of those who listened regularly appreciate them largely. The majority stated that the sketches gave them advice and guidelines on how to behave during the electoral processes and helped them identify and understand the core principles of manipulation used by political leaders.

More than one third of Burundians 18 years and older seemed to listen regularly to the radio debates. In addition, the radio synergy in general and the journalist pool in particular seems to be highly appreciated by the Burundian audience - - more than one third of Burundians claim to follow the synergy programmes, and tended to have more confidence in these programmes than those produced by individual stations.

The evaluation also looked at what information people retained and what attitude and behaviour change occurred because of the project. It found that 40% of the audience interviewed said the programmes helped them in making a decision for the elections. The project also helped Burundians better understand the priorities of the various political parties. A large number of focus group participants also stated that the programme played an important role in the positive process of the elections. However, 60% of respondents claimed to have made up their minds before listening to the programmes and said they were not influenced by any additional information the programmes brought to them.

In terms of developing a critical electorate, the evaluation found that those who listened to the programmes are more likely to start a process of critical reflection upon the intentions and preoccupations of political parties during pre-electoral and electoral phases. Concerning the sketches on political manipulations, the evaluation results show that the listeners have a basic understanding of when and how they are being manipulated. However, there is still a large gap between the level of understanding of the issues and the level of behaviour change.

The report also suggests that after 10 months, the participating journalists had all improved their knowledge relating to the institutional issues and electoral processes. The report also suggests that the training programme found in the pool approach improved the neutrality and impartiality of political reporting amongst participants.

The report suggests that media productions developed under a specific timeframe, covering specific themes, and co-produced by a synergy of journalists seem to be not only highly appreciated for their level of neutrality and independence, they also seem to enhance more trust in the information content communicated. The evaluation recommends using the approach to address other governance-related issues, as well as increasing the length of the intervention to achieve more concrete results in behaviour and attitude change. They also point out that media projects and journalistic work must take the priorities of the population into account.

To request the 6-page English Executive Summary, or the full report in French, please contact the publishers below.